A Second Chance at Sunrise* "When life gives you a do-over, will you seize it? "Alexandra "Lexi" Thompson's life was unraveling. A painful breakup, a stagnant career, and a sense of purpose lost. But then, a mysterious night in Manhattan sends her tumbling back in time-to her 18-year-old self, in small-town Florida. As Lexi navigates her past, she's confronted with unfinished business, old flames, and new possibilities. Will she rekindle her romance with Jake, the high school sweetheart who still holds a piece of her heart? Or will she return to her New York City life, determined to rediscover herself? In this heartwarming, thought-provoking tale of love, loss, and self-discovery, Lexi must choose between two timelines-and two versions of herself . *Will she find her true path in the past or forge a new future?* "A beautifully crafted exploration of identity, love, and the power of second chances." *Genre:* Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance "Sometimes, the best way forward is to go back."
As Lexi walked home on that crisp evening, she made a brief stop for a steaming latte. The city of New York pulsed around her, alive with people rushing to and fro. She found solace in the cacophony; sometimes it drowned out her own thoughts, while other times she yearned for silence.
Just as she savored the warm brew, the cafe door swung open and Adrian stepped inside. He walked towards her, taking a seat in front of her.
" You're late." Lexi said before Adrian could say a word.
" I came as quickly as I could." Adrian replied.
" You asked to meet yet you kept me waiting. I'm also busy Adrian."
" I do not want to fight with you Lexi, not today. We need to talk."
" Well a simple apology would not hurt." Lexi muttered as she raised the mug to her lips, taking a small sip.
"Lexi, we need to break up," Adrian said, his voice firm. "This isn't working, and you know it."
Lexi's gaze pierced through him, almost boring a hole through his head, her eyes burning with a mix of emotions before she shifted her focus away. Had she been expecting this? Yes, she had. The writing was on the wall. They'd been drifting apart, the distance between them growing insurmountable.
Deep down, Lexi knew the relationship had ended long ago. Was it her fault? Partially. Adrian made her feel like she was too independent, that she needed to rely on him more. But Lexi couldn't surrender to that. She couldn't fully commit, always keeping one foot out the door, ready to bolt.
The silence between them was heavy, weighed down by unspoken truths. Lexi's thoughts swirled: Had she been using her independence as a shield? Yes.
Had she ever truly let Adrian in?
Adrian's voice broke the silence. "You've always been holding back, Lexi. I feel like I've been fighting for your heart, but you've never fully given it to me."
Lexi's eyes snapped back to his, a spark of defensiveness igniting within her. But she knew he was right.
Adrian continued. " I've thought about this and I can't keep trying to make this work. I'm seeing someone else, she's pretty and she cares about me. I don't want to keep leading you on."
" Is she younger?" Lexi asked.
" Yes, she's twenty five."
" Okay."
" Okay?"
" Yes. I agree that we should break up. It's long overdue and I'm glad you've found someone perfect for you." Lexi said calmly.
" Two years into this relationship and you look so calm that we're breaking up."
" What I'm I suppose to do? Yell at you? Freak out? Adrian I'm happy for you okay. We've both been very busy so this was expected."
Adrian nodded thoughtfully, his eyes lingering on Lexi's face. "I'm glad we can end this amicably," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "Good luck, Lexi."
With that, he stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. Lexi watched, frozen, as he walked out of the café. Through the glass wall, she saw him pause, taking a deep breath before getting into his car. The engine roared to life, and he drove away, leaving Lexi alone.
A small, sharp pang struck her chest, like a tiny needle pricking her heart. She hadn't expected the ache, but it was there, lingering. Lexi's eyes dropped to her latte, the creamy foam now flat and unappealing. She pushed the cup away, her mind reeling.
The café's bustle faded into the background as Lexi sat, lost in thought. She had known this was coming, had even welcomed it. So why the sting? Was it regret, relief, or something else entirely?
As she sat there, Lexi realized she needed to confront the emotions Adrian's departure had unearthed.
Lexi's gaze drifted back to the empty chair across from her, where Adrian had sat just moments before. Their relationship had been unraveling for months, but the finality of their breakup still felt unsettling.
She took a deep breath, collecting her thoughts. The café's noise now seemed amplified – clinking cups, muted conversations, and the hiss of steam. Lexi gathered her belongings and stepped outside, into the crisp evening air.
The city lights twinkled around her, a reminder of the world moving forward, regardless of her personal struggles. Lexi walked to her car, let herself into the driver seat and drove off.
As she drove into the traffic, her phone rang, the ID caller showing Rachel, Lexi's best friend.
" Hey girl." Rachel's cheerful voice came from the other side.
Lexi smiled wryly. " How's our soon to be Mrs doing?"
" I'm great, the wedding dress just came in."
" Sorry I wasn't able to help you prepare."
" It's fine all I need is your presence." Rachel said. " Just calling to make sure you don't forget that the bachelorette party is tomorrow."
Lexi chuckled, the sound mingling with the hum of the engine. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Chel. I've got my outfit ready and everything."
"Outfit?" Rachel's tone turned curious. "What's the theme again?"
"Neon and naughty," Lexi replied with a grin.
Rachel's laughter filled the line. " Perfect, I knew I could count on you. Hey, I hope you'll be there with Adrian tomorrow," Rachel said, her voice bubbly.
Lexi's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "We broke up, Chel. He broke up with me."
The line went silent.
"What? Why?" Rachel's shock was palpable.
Lexi took a deep breath. "We've been drifting apart. I expected this."
Rachel's curiosity turned sharp. " What happened?"
Lexi hesitated before revealing the painful truth. "He said he's seeing someone else... someone younger."
Rachel's gasp was audible. "Lexi, are you okay?"
Lexi cringed, she hated the pint of pity in Rachel's tone. "Yes, I'm fine."
"Lex, I'm so sorry. I had no idea."
Lexi forced a lightness into her voice. "It's okay, really. We weren't working out."
Rachel's concern lingered. "But someone younger? That must hurt."
Lexi's thoughts strayed to Rachel's fiancé, Damien, who was indeed younger. "You found your perfect match, Chel. Not everyone's as lucky."
Rachel picked up on the subtle hint. "Lex, don't compare. You'll find yours. You know you can talk to me if you want."
Lexi smiled wryly, grateful for Rachel's empathy.
" Not right now Chel. Tomorrow is about celebrating you, let's not talk about my failed relationships. I'll be all for you tomorrow, with bells on. Let's focus on your last night of freedom."
Rachel's laughter filled the line, a welcome relief. "Alright, let's focus on getting me thoroughly embarrassed tomorrow night! See you then." Lexi chuckled, hanging up, feeling a brief respite from her thoughts.
Adele runs away from a life a privilege and entered a new world of mafia, mysteries secret that could be killed for and love. Born a wretched life and adopted into a life of privilege.. Adele Callahan has spent her life under the thumb of a prestigious family that controls her every move. When she escapes an arranged marriage, her only plan is to run as far and as fast as she can-until a fateful encounter changes everything.. Adele seemed to live a nice life but it's all a different story behind the reflection. Forced to marry a rich influential abuser, Adele escapes in a bid to leaves a life that was arranged and all planned out for her when her paths crosses with a man who introduces her to a life she never knew existed. Lucian runs a mafia group but there's more to him than he let out, one of the influential person feared by most. But women are his toys, a new one each day to add to his record of decanhery. Lucian. He's dark, enigmatic, and devastatingly handsome, but beneath his flawless exterior lies a dangerous secret. His piercing eyes see too much, his voice commands obedience, and his presence is like a storm she can't escape. He warns her to leave, but his words come too late-Adele is already entangled in his world. What starts as a chance meeting spirals into a deadly game of survival, as Adele learns the truth about Lucian. Drawn together by fate, their connection defies reason, even as the shadows of Lucian's mafia ties threaten to tear them apart. As passion collides with peril, Adele must decide: will she run from the darkness that surrounds Lucian, or embrace it to uncover the secrets of her own destiny? "In a world of danger, betrayal, and supernatural power, love might be the most dangerous thing of all."
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
Sheila had her back against the wall when her family tried to force her to marry an awful old man. In a fit of rage, she hired a gigolo to act as her husband. She thought the gigolo needed money and did this for a living. Little did she know that he was nothing like that. One day, he pulled off his mask and revealed himself to be the world's top magnate. This marked the beginning of their love. He showered her with everything she could ever want. They were happy. However, unexpected circumstances soon posed a threat to their love. Would Sheila and her husband make it through the storm? Find out!
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
"Who is she?" I asked, feeling tears well up in my eyes. "He met her at the Alpha training camp," he said. "She is a perfect suitor for him. It snowed last night, indicating that his wolf is happy with his choice." My heart sank, and tears made their way down my cheeks. Alexander took my innocence last night, and now he is taking that thing in his office as his Luna. **** Emily never shifted on her 18th birthday and became the laughingstock of the pack. When her old crush, Alexander Black, returns from Alpha Training, she never expected him to be her mate. After a night of passionate love, Emily finds out that young Alpha Alexander has taken a chosen mate. Heartbroken and humiliated, Emily runs off and disappears from the pack. Now, five years later, Emily is a high-ranking warrior in King Alpha's army, specializing in sensitive matters. When her best friend invites her to a night of music and laughter, she never expects to run into her mate, Alexander. Will Alexander figure out it is Emily? Will he chase after her, and most of all, will Emily be able to keep her secrets safe?